UpBeat NYC Receives Adolf Busch Award

We are honored to announce that UpBeat has received the 2026 Adolf Busch Award!

This award recognizes and honors organizations that use music to address social injustice, inequity and lack of opportunity. It was named after the great German violinist Adolf Busch, who was one of the first international celebrities to denounce the Nazi regime.

This award is particularly meaningful to us as it recognizes the essence and the why of UpBeat. Social justice has always been at the core of UpBeat – a belief that access to music education is a right for all and that we have a deep responsibility to keep fighting for equity in this field.

We are so grateful that the important link between social justice and the arts is uplifted and honored through this beautiful award. Music is important to a community but community is equally as important to music. This award touches our hearts and lifts our spirits.

Thank you founder to the award founder, Seth Novatt and the Adolf Busch Award team for lifting up organizations that fight for equity, for shining a light on the need for music and joy and the power of making music in community.

Please click here to learn more about the Adolf Busch Award and all the 2026 finalists.

And for information on the current Adolf Busch Award 2027 cycle, click here!